Calle Actor Luis Prendes, 4, La Cala, Playa Poniente, Benidorm, Spain | (618) 248-8274
A five-minute walk from the beach and restaurants on the seafront
Expansive sea views from many rooms
Two large outdoor pools, plus one for kids
A large buffet with show cooking stations
Elegant, contemporary suites with striking sea views
Modern fitness center with Technogym equipment and sea views
Four bars, including a poolside snack hut and a nightclub with shows
Small spa with whirlpools, panoramic views, a sauna, and massage cabins
Several meeting rooms, including one for up to 1,000 guests
Kids’ club with daily activities, plus a playground
Standard rooms are generic and dated; some are tight
Food is just average
Fees for Wi-Fi and for parking
Lines for meals during peak season
A little far from the main drag (but near the beach and restaurants)
Some suites don’t have a terrace
Known for being the tallest hotel in Europe, the 776-room, upper-middle-range, Gran Hotel Bali wows at first sight. The huge lobby is modern and common spaces -- including the pools and the deck around them -- are spacious enough to comfortably fit all guests. However, rooms, while clean and bright, are a little disappointing in comparison. All feature flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies (with panoramic views in most cases), but decor is dated and bland. Also, the dining areas seem to be understaffed, and lines at meal times are common. Still, the location within a five-minute walk of the beach is a plus, and some may find the views to be worth putting up with the downsides.
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Scene
A huge family-friendly hotel with striking panoramic views
Built in 2002 as the tallest hotel in Europe, Gran Hotel Bali is housed in an impressive 610-foot tower and an adjacent smaller building. The entrance matches the grandiose construction, with a wide staircase covered in a royal blue carpet, gigantic pillar, and a dozen flags fluttering in the sea breeze. The massive lobby features a striking lamp that hangs three floors up, stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, and access to 18 small elevators, some of which are exterior and offer panoramic views. All public spaces have been designed to make the most of the building’s height, and most have stunning views, including the wellness area and the gym.
Location
A short walk from the beach and a few restaurants -- but far from the main drag
Gran Hotel Bali is located a five-minute walk from the longest beach in the Benidorm area. This large stretch of sand is one of the most popular in Spain during July and August. It can get a little suffocating there, with hundreds of people placing their towels side by side. There is another equally popular beach a 15-minute drive away, and a few others in either direction within 20 minutes in the car. There are a few restaurants on the seafront, but the main drag is quite a trek away, and most guests choose to take a taxi or drive there. The nearest airport is in Alicante, a 45-minute drive away. Expect to pay for parking at the hotel.
Rooms
Bright and clean, but decor is generic and dated, and some units are tight
The hotel has 776 rooms in categories ranging from Double Rooms to Suites. All units are clean and have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, sofa beds, safes, and air-conditioning, but there is a fee for Wi-Fi. Decor in standard rooms is generic and dated, with thin bedspreads in brown and burgundy, faded maroon terrazzo floors, cream-colored walls, and basic wooden furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows add some visual space and offer great views, but most rooms are tight if they're occupied by more than two guests. Suites, however, are contemporary. These have wood floors, a stylish off-white and redberry or black and orange palette, and a few wicker accents. Additional suite amenities include Nespresso machines, jetted tubs with sea views, and walk-in closets. Some suites don’t have a terrace.
Features
Three pools, a buffet restaurant, a gym with a wellness area, and a kids’ club
As a hotel that caters to families, the Bali offers an array of kid-friendly amenities, including a playground, a kids’ club, a kiddy pool, and an extensive entertainment program for all ages. Adults and older children can use either of the two large pools on-site. One of them has a section with underwater loungers, a few swan neck jets for shoulder massages, and a man-made rocky area with a small waterfall and a bridge; the other pool offers access to a snack bar.The fitness center has an array of cardio and strength-training machines by Technogym in a bright space with panoramic views. Adjacent to the gym is the wellness room, complete with three whirlpools with stunning sea views, a couple of treatment cabins, and a sauna. The hotel also offers a buffet restaurant, though food is just average (and sometimes cold), and the dining room gets overcrowded at main meal times during peak season, which often results in long lines. Additionally, the property has several meeting rooms -- including one for up to 1,000 guests. Wi-Fi is available throughout for an extra charge.
